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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 297 766 IR 052 487 TITLE Library Programs: Library Literacy Program. Analysis of Funded Projects, 1987. LSCA VI. INSTITUTION Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. REPORT NO LP-88-707 PUB DATE Jul 88 NOTE 82p.; For 1986 edition, see ED 285 589. PUB TYPE Reference Materials - Directories/Catalogs (132) Reports - Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MFOI/PC04 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Basic Skills; Computer Assisted Instruction; *Federal Aid; Financial Support; Library Collection Development; *Library Services; *Literacy; *Literacy Education; Program Descriptions; *Public Libraries; Rural Population; State Libraries; Training; Tutors IDENTIFIERS *Library Services and Construction Act; Target Populations ABSTRACT This report provides an examination of literacy activities supported by 245 grants awarded to public and state libraries under the Library Literacy Program, Title VI of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), during fiscal year 1987. Following an overview of the Library Literacy Program, projects are reviewed and categorized according to 10 major subject headings, each of which constitutes a separate sections (1) General Literacy Services; (2) Coalition Building; (3) Public Awareness Campaigns; (4) Training: Librarians, Tutors, and Trainers; (5) Collection Development; (6) Targeted Populations; (7) Computer-Assisted Approaches; (8) Employment Oriented Projects; (9) Rural Projects; and (10) Shoestring Projects. Each section discusses the common elements that characterize the projects and includes selected examples. At the end of each section is a list of project grantees. Three appendixes are included: statistical information and analysis (funding history; fiscal year 1987 applications; and comparison of fiscal years 198; and 1987 applications and awards); projects listed by state and library (provides library name and address); and activities engaged in by LSCA Title VI projects. (CGD) 10000000001100000000110000000000MMEM******************30000000EMEMOM * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***AMEN*************KM*********MOMMOOMMIRM30000110000000000(********* /i Library Programs LSCA VI Library Literacy Program Analysis of Funded Projects 1987 July 1988 3 US. Department of Education William J. Bennett Secretary Office of Educational Research and Improvement Chester E. Finn, Jr. Assisiant Secretary Library Programs Anne J. Mathews Director Information Services Ray Fields Director 4 Foreword Fiscal Year 1987 marks the second year of operation of the Library Literacy Program, Title VI of the Library Services and Construction Act. We have now funded projects in 49 States, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands, showing that libraries across the nation are con- tributing to the literacy effort. Several innrovemen, ts were made to the administration of the program this year, making the process of awarding the grants much smoother and less hectic than in our first year, thanks to the efforts of Frank Stevens, Director of the Library Development Staff, Carol Cameron, LSCA Title VI =Officer, and Dianne Villines, Program Assistant. Now that Humes has joined the Library Development Staff as our second LSCA Title VI Program Officer, I am certain we will continue our successes and make further improvements to the program. We also saw a marked improvement in the quality of app:ications sub- mitted to the program in FY 1987. In general the applications more clearly and completely addressed each of the program's criteria. While we made approximately the same number of grants this year as last, the FY 1987 ap- plicants had to receive scores at least 10 points higher than they would have in FY 1986 to be funded. We have taken a different approach to this year's publication about the funded projects. In addition to a list of all of the projects and some selected examples, this publication also provides an analysis of the types of projects we are supporting and discusses some emerging trends. We hope this approach will help spread the word about the library community's efforts in reducing the rate of illiteracy in this country and demonstrate its leadership role. Anne J. Mathews Director Library Programs Office of Educational Re 'arch and Improvement th Table Of Contents Page Foreword iii Introduction vii Abbreviations viii Section 1 - Overview of the Library Literacy Program 3 Section 2 - General Literacy Services 7 Section 3 - Coalition Building 19 Section 4 - Public Awareness Campaigns 25 Section 5 - Training: Librarians, Tutors and Trainers 31 Section 6 - Collection Development 39 Section 7 - Targeted Populations 49 Section 8 - Computer-Assisted Approaches 55 Section 9 - Employment Oriented Projects 61 Section 19 - Rural Projects 65 Section 11- Shoestring Projects 71 Appendices Appendix A - Statistical Information and Analysis 75 Appendix B - Projects by State and Library 77 Appendix C - Activity Review 91 Introduction The Library Literacy Program, Title VI of the Library Services and Con- struction Act (LSCA Title VI), is the largest Federal library program under which State and local public libraries apply directly to the US. Department of Education and compete for literacy grant awards. State public libraries may use grant funds to coordinate and plan library literacy programs and to arrange for the training of librarians and volunteers to carry out such programs. Local public libraries may use grant funds to promote the use of the voluntary services of individuals, agencies, and organizations in providing literacy programs and to acquire library materials, use library facilities, and train volunteers for local literacy programs. 1,1987, 245 grants Wieling $5 million were awarded to 230 locaptSlecilltheribrariesand 15 State libraries for FY 1987. The grants were reviewed by a panel of 99 literacy experts representing local and State libraries, literacy councils, State departments of education, institutions of higer education, and private or other Fteracy efforts. Grants ranged in size from $1,146 to the maximum amount of $25,000. The average amount awarded was $20,408. Library literacy Program: Analysis of Funded Projects is an examination of the types of projects funded in FY 1987. Rather than presenting a collection of project abstracts, we have reviewed and categorized projects according to ten major subject headings. Each of the major headings comprise a separate section. Each section discusses the common elements that characterize the projects and includes selected examples. At the end of each section is a list of project grantees. We hope that this publication will offer new ideas to libraries with literacy programs or inspire those who are looking for solutions to illiteracy in their community. We also hope that librarians and literacy providers will find this book useful to make contact with libraries that are working on projects of smiliar interest. Barbara A. Humes Carol A. Cameron LSCA Title VI Program Officers vii 7 Abbreviations These abbreviations are used throughout this publication: ABE: Adult Basic Education ALA: American Library Association ESL: English as a Second Language ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages FY: Fiscal Year GED: General Equivalency Diploma LSCA: Library Services and Construction Act LVA: Literacy Volunteers of America VISTA:Volunteers in Service to America s viii Section1 Overview of the Library Literacy Program 9 Section 1 Overview of the Library Literacy Program "A person with the ability to wad and write becomesmore employable, a wiser consumer, contributes more to the tax base, and becomesa more con- scientious parent and citizen." Excerpt from FY 1987 LSCA Title VI Application Euzelia Chase, Librarian Catahoula Parish Library Harrisonburg, Louisiana As the LSCA Title VI Library Literacy Program into its second year, its grantees demonstrate that the Nation's pu lic libraries are collec- tively making an enormous effort to join in the battle against illiteracy. Public libraries are engaging cooperatively with educationalinstinalions, public agencies, private businesses, and literacy providersto share resour- ces, to seek those in need, and to raise public awareness about the problems of illiteracy. The projects described in this reportcover the range of human and geographic conditions. There are rural projects that reachpersons in remote areas who have no access to private or public transportation; urban projects that conduct awareness campaigns and student recruitment in public places such as welfare offices, clinics, and churches; projects thatuse electronic technology tc overcome physical barriers; projects aimedat the unemployed, unskilled, elderly, disabled, institutionalized, andnon- English speaking populations. And thereare projects for parents who wish to become partners in their children's early education. However varied the projects, certain trends have emerged froma review of the projects funded this year under the Library Literacy Program. The most apparent trend has been the increaseduse of learning technologies such as computers, videos, and audio devices in providing literacy services. These technologies are becoming commonplace components of in- structional plans and can be found in small and large community libraries. Many libraries are providing learning centers that contain audiovisual equipment and software to supplement printed workbooks and textbooks used by literacy program students. Computers are being used to track studentprogress,

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